Western Digital Introduces WD TV Play Set-Top-Box

Western Digital has unveils WD TV Play, a set-top-box that streams popular Internet channels, as well as personal photos, music and movies from other networked devices in the home, directly to an HDTV. WD TV Play expands upon the existing WD TV family of products, offering a new app-based user interface to allow customers to personalize their entertainment experience.

“We are excited to bring popular Internet channels and the ability to play personal media from other connected devices in the home, to budget-minded customers. Those features and our new, easy-to-use interface make WD TV Play a product that brings smart-TV benefits to a wide range of people,” said Scott Vouri, general manager for WD's connected life solutions group.

WD TV Play allows customers to stream hit movies, view the latest viral videos, catch up on TV shows and stay connected to social networks through apps such as YouTube, Netflix, Hulu Plus, Vudu, SlingPlayer, Spotify, Pandora and Facebook, among many others. WD TV Play also lets customers enjoy a variety of media they already own, such as photos, music and videos. Customers can play content located on any computer or network attached storage that has a DLNA (digital living network alliance) server, such as the My Book Live personal cloud storage, as well as from any directly connected digital camcorder, camera or USB drive.

WD TV Play’s high-speed wireless or Ethernet connections support Full-HD 1080p video streaming. Once connected, customers navigate a familiar-feeling app-based user interface to play their entertainment or personalize their home screen with favorite apps. Customers can also set their favorite app to automatically play when WD TV Play is turned on, perfect for listening to music and running a slideshow of photos.

WD TV Play’s new remote control features pre-programmed buttons, giving customers one-touch access to their favorite apps. Customers can also download the free WD TV Remote app to turn their iPhone, iPod touch, iPad or Android compatible mobile device into an advanced remote control. WD TV Remote connects over the home wireless network and works with multiple WD TV media players in the home.

WD TV Play is currently available online at www.wdstore.com starting at $69.99 MSRP.